Far Cry Vengeance Interview

Publishing giant Ubisoft is supporting Nintendo's Wii console with eight launch window games -- a number almost unheard of in the videogame industry. One of the first games to hit Wii courtesy the publisher is the officially titled Far Cry Vengeance. We've put together a new interview with the Wii version's designer, Fabrice Cuny. And yes, we've also posted first-ever Wii screenshots. But before we get to any of that, we've got a few basic game details for you.

Far Cry Vengeance follows Jack Carver as he fights to stay alive in a tropical environment filled with militant baddies. Jack must use a variety of weapons -- and even some super powers -- to figure out exactly what he's stumbled into and to put things right again. The Wii version of Unleashed uses Nintendo's Wii-mote and nunchuk controllers to further enhance the way the game is played, enabling a higher degree of control sensitivity than previously possible on home consoles. The game also boasts new maps, characters and weapons.

Fabrice Cuny gives us the scoop below:

IGN Wii: Can you explain to gamers completely unfamiliar with the Far Cry franchise what it's all about?

Fabrice Cuny

: Far Cry is a first person shooter that takes place in a gorgeous tropical setting. The story follows Jack Carver, just a normal guy who retired with his boat to live a peaceful life. Trouble always seems to find Jack Carver, no matter where he goes. While on the island he becomes a victim of scientific experimentation and since then he possesses feral powers.

IGN Wii: There are so many versions of Far Cry, including Instincts, Evolution and Predator. Where does the Wii version fit in?

Fabrice Cuny

: When the Red Steel team exclaimed how cool it was to play an FPS on the Wii, we did a bit of investigating and we heard that Nintendo fans wanted to play this game. To bring Far Cry to the Nintendo console for the first time, we proposed how we could bring it to the Wii in a fresh and unique way. Early on Nintendo had touted the Wii controller as being excellent for an FPS game, and we wanted to allow people to experience Far Cry in this way. Far Cry Vengeance is the Wii's exclusive episode which builds upon Far Cry Instincts Evolution and expands to include a new storyline, new maps, and new weapons.

IGN Wii: Ubisoft's North American president said there is a fresh storyline for the Wii game. What is it?

Fabrice Cuny

: I don't want to spoil the whole story, but Far Cry Vengeance's background is inspired by Far Cry Instincts Evolution. We added more depth and elements in the storyline; for example Jack Carver will meet a new character called Kien Do, he is the Governor's chief lieutenant. Bodyguard, adviser and assassin, he is also the unofficial chief commanding officer of the country's army and police force. When need be, he can act as judge, jury and executioner.

IGN Wii: There are apparently new maps for the Wii build. What can we expect to see?

Fabrice Cuny

: You will be able to see three new maps: Tourist Resort, an abandoned World War II base and a petrol refinery. Each environment has its own identity, like in the Tourist Resort map where Jack will fight his opponents in a luxurious hotel.

IGN Wii: There are also new characters and weapons in the Wii version. Can you give us a few examples?

Fabrice Cuny

: Right now we can't reveal anything about new characters in the story, however we can tell you that new weapons included will be a machete, Bull44 large-caliber revolver, G18 automatic rifle, and a few more.

IGN Wii: The Wii has been described as more powerful than the original Xbox, but not as powerful as Xbox 360. What type of visuals can we expect from the Wii version of Far Cry?

Fabrice Cuny

: Overall the Wii is more powerful than an Xbox, even if the Xbox can do some stuff that the Wii can't. But remember the Wii is more focused on its unique gameplay using the Wii controller and not on power. We can expect a game as beautiful as what we used to see on Xbox.